The House proceedings were interrupted for a visit from Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith. Download This File

Republican Delegate Neil Parrott explains why he first cast a vote in favor of the bill, and then voted against it. Download This File

The Maryland House of Delegates has approved a transportation tax bill that will increase taxes on gasoline, as well as vehicle registration fees and mass transit fares.

The money is earmarked mainly for road, bridge and mass transit projects

A number of Republicans who opposed the bill, complained that Speaker Michael Busch locked the voting board before lawmakers could either cast their vote, change their vote on the bill, or explain how they voted to their colleagues.

Republicans asked for another vote.

House Speaker Michael Busch rejected the request, and the 43 Republicans in the chamber left the floor for a private conference.

Once they returned, Busch allowed any delegates who claim they had not voted to take their vote.

The bill was initially reported as approved by a vote of 78-56, but after Busch allowed other delegates to cast votes, the bill was approved by a vote of 76-63.

All 76 of the "yes" votes were Democrats.

Of the delegates who voted "no," 22 were Democrats and 41 were Republicans.

Washington County Republican Delegate Neil Parrott told reporters that Harford County Democrat Mary Dulany-James, who sits near him on the House floor, did not cast her vote, when Busch declared the vote closed.

He says Republicans felt that was unfair.

In the first vote Parrott was recorded as voting in favor of the bill, but in the final vote he was recorded as voting against the bill.

Parrott told WBAL News that it was never his intention to vote for the bill. However, he said he initially indicated that he voted in favor of the bill, because he wanted to prove that House Speaker Michael Busch and the Democrats were trying to manipulate the vote, by cutting off the vote, once they had enough votes to pass the bill.

Busch told his colleagues that every delegate had a chance to vote.

Republicans spent the rest of Friday attempting to delay or extend votes on other bills on the legislative agenda including one to provide school construction funding for Baltimore City.

At one point Speaker Busch called for a break in the proceedings to introduce Baltimore Ravens' wide receiver Torrey Smith, who was visiting Annapolis.

Smith told delegates that he watched the debate on the gas tax, and said that he has respect for what lawmakers do.

The measure is a modified version of a bill unveiled by Governor Martin O'Malley earlier this month.

This bill now goes to the Senate which is expected to consider it in the final two weeks of the legislative session.

Estimates from the non-partisan Department of Legislative Services and House Republicans finds the bill will increase taxes on gasoline by at least 20-cents a gallon over the next four years.

The bill phases in a sales tax on gasoline over a four year period, unless Congress gives the state permission to levy a sales tax on online purchases.

The bill also links the current 23.5-cent-a-gallon gasoline excise tax to the inflation rate.

A WBAL News review of the 26 page bill also finds that the bill will also increase vehicle registration fees.

You have to go to page 20 of this 26 page bill to find out that vehicle registration fees are being increased by $3.50.

Turn a few more pages and youÆll discover itÆs the emergency medical services surcharge on your registration.

Under the bill, the surcharge pays for among other things hiring 20 new state police helicopter pilots and boostingthe salaries for those pilots to $70,000 a year.

Howard County Delegate Frank Turner, who as vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee helped write the bill, told WBAL News that the higher salaries will help retain pilots, who currently earn $57,000 a year.

"That's way below, what we've turned into is a training program for the commercial services," Turner told WBAL News before today's session.

The measure would boost the registration for most cars from $128 to $131.50 paid every two years.

During today's floor debate Republicans spoke out against the bill.

Anne Arundel County Republican Delegate Nic Kipke called the tax proposal "a form of political terrorism," that will hurt poor people.

Montgomery County Democrat Luiz Simmons during the debate called the tax "an extremely regressive tax," one which will impact poor people the hardest. Simmons is among the Democrats who is voting against the bill.

Other Democratic lawmakers spoke in support of the bill noting it will provide needed funds for road and bridge projects, and mass transit improvements that will reduce commuting times, as it will put fewer drivers on the road.

After the vote, Governor Martin O'Malley issued the following statement:

"I am pleased that the House of Delegates acted today to create jobs by passing a 21st century infrastructure investment plan. The investment plan the House passed today is balanced, fiscally responsible and will support 44,000 jobs over the next five years. With new roads, bridges, and transit systems, Maryland will continue to be competitive at attracting companies to invest, grow, and create jobs. Today, we continue to be a leader in the region for jobs recovery. Maryland has recovered more than 86% of the jobs lost in the national recession. I urge the Senate to pass this plan quickly so that we can continue to help Marylanders find jobs and strengthen our middle class."

Summary of Bill Prepared by Department of Legislative Services

Here is a glance at the estimated increases in gas prices to Maryland's current 23.5-cents-per-gallon excise tax under a measure approved by the House of Delegates.

Here's how members of the Maryland House of Delegates voted to add a sales tax to gasoline and link future increases to inflation in an unofficial roll call. The vote was 76-63. A vote of 71 was needed.